What's ahead in 2013 for Martin County

FILE PHOTO
An east-looking aerial shows the progress of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in September.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

Doug Smith

Anne Scott

By toppling U.S. Rep. Allen West, Patrick Murphy pulled off one of the biggest congressional upsets in the country to represent U.S. House District 18. Here, Murphy thanks supporters in November as results were held up from a final count late into election night.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

Sarah Heard

FILE PHOTO
Two homes being built by Habitat for Humanity of Martin County on Citrus Way in Hobe Sound.

Ed Fielding

John Haddox

STUART — With a collective sigh of relief, we say so long to 2012 with its nonstop and costly electioneering and look ahead to 2013 — a year experts say should continue a positive trend in jobs and real estate recovery. But from a long-awaited bridge opening to speculation over how a new slow-growth county commission will influence the area's development, the coming year won't lack in major issues worthy of close attention.

Here's a look at projects and issues that will shape the people, economy and landscape for 2013:

Economic outlook

The 2013 jobs forecast shows Florida's unemployment rate will continue to drop from the year-ending 8.1 percent, and records show that trend will hold true in Martin County. Martin in November had an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent, compared to 10.3 percent in 2011, according to November data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

And despite what he called a "difficult year" for local homebuilders, Robert Cenk, president of the Treasure Coast Builders Association, said he's optimistic 2013 will bring a surge in new housing construction.

"Construction costs continue to go up so it's going to be a tough row to hoe, but I think this is the beginning of a recovery," Cenk said. "We're lagging behind; it's very busy in Miami, Broward County is busy and it's starting to get busy in Palm Beach. We typically lag behind those counties by six to eight months."

Tom Baker, president of the Realtor's Association of Martin County, said going into 2013, he feels optimistic about the housing market.

"As long as interest rates remain down where they are, money is kind of hard to get, there's no question about that," Baker said. "But people with good credit can get money and pricing is still down. We are seeing some appreciation again and we would continue to see appreciation over 2013 so long as inventory levels remain tight like they are."

Other projects in 2013 expected to boost local economies include:

Construction work on Colorado Avenue fell behind in December but Stuart city officials say the $750,000 beautification project will pay off this year with an increase in foot traffic. Work to narrow lanes and calm traffic makes the avenue more business and pedestrian-friendly, officials say, and is expected to spur economic growth along Colorado and into the historic district.

Veterans Memorial Bridge, under construction between Indian Street in Stuart and Martin Highway in Palm City, is scheduled for completion in summer 2013. The $64 million bridge project is expected to ease traffic, provide an additional evacuation route and open a commercial corridor.

Slow-Growth County Commission

Given the new makeup of the Martin County Commission tilted toward a slow-growth majority, there's a good chance deep-pocket developers in 2013 may shun proposing any large, ambitious development projects, especially in the county's rural areas.

Commission Chairwoman Sarah Heard says she hopes developers in 2013 will submit applications so the commission could approve the kinds of development that contributes to the community.

"I hope that we can show what good development looks like," she said. "It protects all of us."

That sentiment might influence the way forward for officials with the Hobe Grove project, a Hobe Sound housing proposal whose fate could be determined in 2013. The proposed development on 2,823 acres south of Bridge Road includes plans for 4.6 million square feet of business and education space, and 4,300 homes on property zoned for agricultural use.

A year after submitting an application for development approval, Midbrook 1st Realty Corp., the property owner that bought the land for $43.76 million in 2011, is looking to extend the application process to June.

Patrick Murphy sworn into Congress

By toppling U.S. Rep. Allen West, Patrick Murphy pulled off one of the biggest congressional upsets in the country.

But Treasure Coast pundits say the Jupiter Democrat can't relax and reflect too long before re-election competition starts brewing up. Whether or not that will include West himself in 2014 is the biggest question.

Murphy will officially be sworn into Congress on Thursday for a two-year term serving District 18 in the U.S. House. The 29-year-old political newbie will represent Martin, St. Lucie and northern Palm Beach counties as the youngest member in Congress.

Two former Treasure Coast congressmen — Democrat Tim Mahoney and Republican Mark Foley — agree Murphy will have a target on his back from day one for knocking out West. They both noted that Murphy will need, and receive, the help of Democratic leadership. That could include anything from favorable committee assignments to helping him land local federal grants.

In a district that favors Republicans by 2 percentage points, Murphy's challenge will be living up to his campaign promise to legislate moderately. His campaign received a lot of help from prominent liberal Democrats, like minority leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.

There hasn't been any indication of where West will end up. Through his national Tea Party fan base, the Palm Beach Gardens Republican can raise millions of dollars with ease. He spent plenty of time on Fox News as a lawmaker, so experts agree he'll get an offer from the conservative news giant. West said during a thank-you event for volunteers that he'll stay involved with veterans issues on the Treasure Coast. But he has stayed mum about his political future.

In the 2014 midterm elections — without President Obama on the ballot to draw more liberal voters — Republicans think they have a good chance to reclaim the seat. State Sen. Joe Negron and state Rep. Gayle Harrell are two names local pundits are discussing. But when asked, neither of the Stuart Republicans expressed interest in running for Congress.